Man Claims to be Missing US Air Force Deserter

STOCKHOLM - A Swedish lawyer representing a man who claims to be a former U.S. airman who deserted his post in Germany 28 years ago says her client decided to come forward as he missed his family.

Emma Persson says she was approached by a man claiming to be David Hemler from Pennsylvania last month. She says he claims to have hitchhiked to Sweden almost three decades earlier, where he then raised a family under a false name.

Hemler has featured on the U.S. Air Force most wanted list since 1984 for deserting his post while stationed with the 6913th Electronic Security Squadron in Augsburg, southwest Germany.

Persson said Tuesday that the man came forward because he says he wants to renew contact with his parents.